10 Feb 2017 Omni Hotel, Richmond, VA

Eighty-eight compatriots from twenty chapters, accompanied by thirty-six friends and family members, assembled in Richmond today for the 127th Annual Meeting of the Virginia Society. The Executive Committee met int he early afternoon, followed by a Tax, Budget, Admin & Awards Workshop, conducted by Secretary Wayne Rouse and Treasurer Rick Elofson.

Tax, Budget, Admin & Awards Workshop,

Treasurer Rick Elofson conducting the Workshop

Secretary Wayne Rouse conducting the Workshop

After dinner in informal groups at local restaurants, the Board of Managers met on Friday Evening. The Board of Managers consists of the elected State Officers of the Virginia Society, the immediate Past President, and two representatives elected or appointed by each chapter.

The Board of Managers Meeting began with an Invocation, posting of the colors, and SAR Pledge.

The Virginia SAR Color Guard presents the colors.

National Society President General Mike Tomme, brought greetings and news from the National Society.

President General Mike Tomme.

Next, the Virginia Society Officers gave their reports.

President Ed Truslow

1st Vice President Mike Elston

2nd Vice President Pat Kelly

3rd Vice President Tom Whetstone

Treasurer Rick Elofson

Chancellor Eric Monday

Historian Larry Aaron

Surgeon Dr Kirk Sheap

Registrar Mike Taimi

Before Committee Chairmen were invited to speak, President Truslow appointed Will Elston as the Time Keeper and issued him a bell to ring to terminate comments by those who exceeded their allotted three minutes.

Time Keeper Will Elston

Mike Lyman - Revolutionary War Graves

Bill Schwetke- Revolutionary War Graves Preservation.

Bill Collier - Public Safety & Heroism

Reverdy Wright - Council of Past Presidents

History Day - Bruce Meyer

Ken Wood - Yorktown

Charlie Coale - Americanism

Walt Sheffield - Good Citizenship

Bill Broadus

Kirk Sheap - Flag Recognition

Spurgeon Keith - ROTC/JROTC

Next streamers were awarded to chapters for various accomplishments

Flag Recognition Participation - All 27 Chapters received streamers!

Blandford Cemetery Monument Dedication Streamers.

War/Military Service Medal Presentation Streamers.

SAR Briefing to Civic Organization Streamers.

Contribution to the A.R.M.Y. Museum Streamers.

Chapters that contributed $250-$999.

Chapters that contributed $1000-$2499

Chapters that contributed $2500 or more.

The Board of Managers Meeting closed with a benediction by Don Reynolds, acting as Chaplain.

Don Reynolds offers te Benediction.

The Ladies Program

While our compatriots were in the Board of Managers Meeting, Charles Belfield President of the James Monroe Chapter, entertained our ladies with his interpretation of several of his ancestors.

Charles Belfield performed on Friday night for the Ladies of the Virginia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. He played in first person five of his ancestors. Starting with his 10th generation Grandfather Joseph Belfield who came to Richmond County in the year 1700. Joseph established his property and begins his family and Medical practice. Thomas ,Joseph’s son expands the Plantation. He shares about the time period 1730 to about 1750 the good years in the Va. Colony. Up next ,John who is involved with pressures put upon our people by Britain. He Joins the Continental army as a light horseman and shares his involvement in the Northern campaign. Thomas Meriwether follows as a militia man of the revolution and shares about, he along with his dad signing the Leedstown Resolution the first written act against taxation in America. Thomas son Joseph talks about the war of 1812. John Walter ends the talk with his time period the 1860’s and the War between the States. In this presentation each man talked about his wife and how they played an important part of the family history.

Joseph Belfield

Thomas Belfield

John Belfield

Thomas Meriwether

Thomas Meriwether

John Walter

First Lady Laura Truslow, on right, presents a Certificate of Appreciation to Charles Belfield for his performance for out ladies.